The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has said he does not need the endorsement of the high chiefs before he can confer honorary traditional titles on recipients.

Our correspondent learnt that the monarch will on November 11, 2017, honour the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, with the title of Agbaakin Afiwagboye of Ibadan land, and others.

This development, observers noted, could further deepen the crisis between the Olubadan and some of his high chiefs, who were elevated by the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi to the status of kings recently.

The new kings had opposed the move by the Olubadan to confer traditional titles on Shittu and others on Saturday (tomorrow).

But speaking through his Director, Media and Public Affairs, Adeola Oloko, on Thursday, the Olubadan said that he was aware of the high chiefs’ opposition to the ceremony.

The monarch insisted that the decision to honour worthy individuals resided with him as the king.

The statement said, “The Olubadan has declared that the title conferment ceremony slated for Saturday, November, 11, 2017 and beyond by him at his palace on distinguished individuals is unstoppable and irreversible as he does not need the involvement and endorsement of any high chief to perform his role.

“The Olubadan is reacting to a statement credited to two high chiefs on the proposed conferment of the honorary chieftaincy titles on deserving individuals. The two high chiefs are contradicting themselves with their statements in the media

“There is no rule and regulation that the king has flouted by prescribing and appointing deserving individuals for title conferment as the law that affirms the Olubadan as the prescribed and appointing authority on chieftaincy matters which predated his ascension to the exalted throne of the Olubadan is still in force and has not been repealed. While the Olubadan is a legal personality, the Olubadan advisory council is not, as it is basically an Advisory Council without any legal instrument whatsoever.

“The king will like to urge those concerned to read the chieftaincy laws guiding the operations of Olubadan and his chiefs thoroughly and properly to discover the truth. The Olubadan also called the law enforcement agents, particularly the police to rise up to the task of providing the needed security to avoid the repeat of the September 25, 2017 incident when some yet-to-be identified gunmen invaded the palace during a chieftaincy installation.”

On the visit of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, to Ajimobi and his (Oluwo) peace move over the crisis trailing the installation of 21 kings by the governor, the Olubadan said he appreciated the move.

The monarch, however, said he would not compromise the customs of the land and would prefer that the court rule on the case he instituted against the governor and others over the issue.

“The king will not in any way compromise Ibadan customs and traditions, though he acknowledged that the Oluwo visited him in his palace sometime ago. As the custodian of the traditions and customs of Ibadan people, he will not come short of the expectations of the people by legitimising mushroom crowns.

“The king prefers that since the matter is before the court of competent jurisdiction, he will not want to say much other than to thank all the royal fathers and other stakeholders that are initiating peace moves,” the statement added.

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